Is this a good starting point for a project? I'm considering building a faux-woody using no body parts other than a decent cowl and grille. Not sure what make, but I think a Caddy woody would be cool. I have located a complete rolling ch***is with the original flathead in it and was wondering if the frame is good stock, axles, etc. Any input would be great, I don't know much about the old Cadillacs....
Those Caddy flatheads are a little pricey to rebuilds. Egge sells all the parts you need, and there are some guys out there that sell everything else you need. That is, if you have the cash. But you're just dealing with running gear, so there's not too much to worry about.
Apparently the owner has fenders, doors, gl***, grille and trunk lid somewhere else. The body was trashed for some odd reason. I think the body was left out and all the pieces were taken off to begin a restoration something like 30 years ago. the body was left out to rot and the rest survived. Maybe I could sell the body parts to finance the engine/****** build up. I'm just thinking novelty factor here...you never really see flatcads in much of anything in the hot rod realm. Maybe there's a good reason for that, but dang, they're very cool looking engines.
They're pretty cool. I think the main reason you don't see them is price for speed parts, which are few and far between, and they're really heavy. Like, really heavy. Like, 998 lbs dry heavy, engine alone.
The frame is probably the least saleable part on it, unless you find the one guy out there who just wrecked a 37-39 Caddy with the same wheelbase who needs one bad. There's nothing wrong with it, it will just drive like a '38 Caddy - they were a luxury car, so it should be a smooth ride, but it won't handle like a new Escalade or anything. On the other hand, they were heavy duty enough people made trucks out of them back in the day. But a build on something that big just won't look right without fenders.. I would pick it all up and track down a cowl somewhere from a sedan and go from there. Depending on which series, you may be able to use a cowl from another GM make, too.
The frames are very good. The front is boxed, and it's an 'x' frame- again, it's a good starting point. Keep us posted-I love the Flatcad builds! Try www.flatcaddy.com for speed parts.
Well, a ****py enough '32 Chevy to build and throw away the body from the doors back isn't going to be that hard to find or terribly expensive, either.
talk about caddy frames..the one in my 46 is huge and heavy..but thats what i wanted for my project..its gonna be a tow rig so the heavy frame is a plus..i cold the flathead and spare i had to another hamber...gonna go with something a little more modern..a 6.5 turbdiesel..not a hot rod but should haul hotrods real well....there are tons of parts i am not using let me know if you do the build i may be able to help heavy duty frame for sure.. http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa84/rcplumley/46 caddy he**** project/ http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa84/rcplumley/46 caddy he**** before/
I was thinking I could find a clapped out '32 Chevy pretty easily...doors and cowl are all I need. I'll need to start looking around this board. I may p*** on the '54 New Yorker if this turns out to be a viable build....though that NY 331 has got me intrigued. How hard to find parts for the Flatcad engines?
the engine and frame from an early Caddy weighs in at some serious tonnage. The 54 NY-r is a better option ...
Um, no! While the engine is heavy, it's got a lot of power for an old engine-135hp, and 260lbs torque, stock! More speed parts are availabe every day, and the block breathes better, and is far stronger than a Ford flathead block The frame is a good x-frame design, boxed in the front. If you're looking for something different than the SBC in a Ford build, this is a pretty cool option. The Flatcad in a Chevy would be cool. I'm putting one in a '38 Chevy. JMHO.
Well, turns out he gave me bad info on the frame...it's NOT there...junked with the body. There are fenderes, doors, a hood, all gl***, most of the trim/chrome, etc... The engine is there and complete I offered $250. Is it worth it? It's been inside, not rusted out or even much surface rust. I told him I want to check the heads, pistons, etc.. before I gave him the cash. He wanted $400, so he's thinking about my offer. What do you guys think the flatcad is worth? The '54 has been covered for sure...in bird droppings and an inch of dust. It's been in a garage with no doors and a ra**** made a bed out of the engine bay...**** everywhere. He says he'll powerwash the car and clean the interior and engine bay before he expects anyone to bite. The body is perfect as is the brite-work, The rear bumper has all the chrome peeling off from the acid in the bird droppings. The rear quarter window has been off and there is a birds nest inside the rear roof above the drivers side p***enger footwell. Not sure I'm willing to put tHAT much effort into a car. I'll offer him $1000 for it next time I talk to him and then likely part it out and keep the drivetrain.
If I can get both engines I will. I have a '35 Dodge pickup that my dad bought from a local legend who had a strange affinity for 425 nailheads and put one in EVERY car he owned. So, the '35 Dodge pickup has a 425 between the fenders. Hey, it's a screamer, but I'd like to shoehorn a 331 or 354 in there someday and this '54 331 would be perfect. Like I said about the Flatcad...I think it will be a starting point for a project...I'll build a car around the engine. If I can get both for $1,250 or so, I'll jump on it.
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